Foldable tonneau cover for pick-up truck and waterproof flexible strip thereof

ABSTRACT

A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foldable tonneau cover and awaterproof seal thereof, and more particularly to a foldable tonneaucover for a pick-up truck having a waterproof flexible strip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A traditional pick-up truck has a cargo box used to carry various cargo.Generally, the cargo box is covered by a tonneau cover which isreleasably clamped to and extended above the cargo box, so as to protectthe carried cargo from adverse weather and improve the aestheticappearance of the pick-up truck. Tonneau covers can be classified intohard-top type and soft-top type, wherein the hard-top type tonneau coverhas a hard top made of rigid material, such as metal, fiberglass or thelike, while the soft-top type tonneau cover has a soft top made offlexible material, such as canvas, vinyl plastic or a weather-resistantfabric. Moreover, the tonneau cover can be designed to provide afoldable function to help a user to conveniently extend or store thetonneau cover.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, schematic views of a traditionalfoldable tonneau cover system for a pick-up truck are illustrated,wherein a tonneau cover system 10 is used to cover a cargo box 21 of apick-up truck 20, and the tonneau cover system 10 comprises a pluralityof frame sections 11, 12, 13, a plurality of hinges 14, a plurality ofclamps (not-shown) and at least one cover portion 15. The number of thecover portion 15 can be one or corresponding to that of the framesections 11-13 (such as three). The cover portion 15 is made of flexibleor rigid material, and can be suitably fixed on the corresponding framesections 11-13. Each of the frame sections 11 is constructed by aplurality of frame members. One of the frame sections 11, 13 can bepivotally connected to another adjacent frame section 12 through two ormore of the hinges 14, so that all of the frame sections 11-13 can beadjusted to an extended position or a storage position.

When the frame sections 11 are in the extended position as shown in FIG.2, the frame sections 11-13 are horizontally extended on two side walls22 and a tailgate 23 of the cargo box 21, and fixed thereon by theclamps, so as to cover an inner space of the cargo box 21. When theframe sections 11-13 are in the storage position as shown in FIG. 3, theframe sections 11-13 are folded and stacked on a front end of the twoside walls 22, so as to expose the inner space of the cargo box 21 forplacing or taking cargo.

In the tonneau cover system 10, each of the hinges 14 mainly comprisestwo hinge portions and a pivot axis, wherein each of the hinge portionsis installed on frame members of one of the frame sections 11-13, whilethe pivot axis is pivotally connected between the two hinge portions. Inorder to prevent water leakage from the gap between any two adjacentframe sections 11-13, side surfaces of the frame members of the twoadjacent frame sections 11-13 are provided with a pair oflaterally-extending channels (unlabeled), wherein a sealing strip 16 isdisposed in each of the laterally-extending channels, respectively.Thus, when the frame sections 11 are in the extended position as shownin FIG. 2, the two sealing strips 16 can be abutted against each otherto provide a waterproof function for the frame sections 11-13.Furthermore, the external (or internal) side of each of the hinges 14can be covered with another seal sheet (not-shown) to further enhancethe waterproof function for the frame sections 11-13.

However, in a first case that a large-area elongated piece of the sealsheet is covered on the external side of the hinge 14, when the twoadjacent frame sections 11-12 are folded and stacked with each other, itis easy to irregularly twist the seal sheet between two outer surfacesof the two adjacent frame members, and thus the ideal folding angle(i.e. 180 degree) between the two adjacent frame sections 11-12 may notbe carried out due to the jam of the seal sheet. On the other hand, in asecond case that a small-area elongated piece of the seal sheet iscovered on the internal side of the hinge 14, when the two adjacentframe sections 11-12 are horizontally extended, it is still easy toirregularly twist the seal sheet between two side surfaces of the twoadjacent frame members, and thus the ideal extension angle (i.e. 0degree) between the two adjacent frame sections 11-12 may not be carriedout due to the jam of the seal sheet; and when the two adjacent framesections 11-12 are folded and stacked with each other, it is easy togenerate a pull force between two outer surfaces of the two adjacentframe members because the curve length of the seal sheet may beinsufficient, and thus the ideal folding angle (i.e. 180 degree) betweenthe two adjacent frame sections 11-12 may not be carried out due to theinsufficient curve length of the seal sheet.

Moreover, the pivot axis of the hinge 14 is installed at a fulcrumposition between the two adjacent frame members, and thus occupies acertain space of the gap therebetween in the horizontally extendedstatus. As a result, the pivot axis interfere with the installation andopen/close operation of the seal sheet on the external or internal sideof the hinge 14, so that it may increase the installation offset betweenthe hinge 14, the seal sheet and the frame members. As a result, theinstallation yield may be affected, and the waterproof reliabilitythereof may be reduced.

As a result, it is necessary to provide a waterproof seal structure anda hinge structure for the foldable tonneau cover to solve the problemsexisting in the conventional technology, as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a foldabletonneau cover for a pick-up truck and a waterproof flexible stripthereof, which is provided with a waterproof flexible strip continuouslyextended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame memberswithout being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantiallyhidden within the frame members, so as to enhance the waterproofreliability thereof.

A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a foldabletonneau cover for a pick-up truck and a waterproof flexible stripthereof, which is provided with at least one hidden-type hingesubstantially hidden within two opposite side surfaces of frame membersof two adjacent frame sections in a horizontally extended status, so asto minimize the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gapbetween the adjacent frame sections.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a foldable tonneaucover for a pick-up truck and a waterproof flexible strip thereof, whichis provided with at least one hidden-type hinge and a waterproofflexible strip between any two adjacent frame sections, so as tosimplify the waterproof interconnection structure between the adjacentframe sections.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a foldabletonneau cover for a pick-up truck and a waterproof flexible stripthereof, which is provided with a foam core between two rigid coverplates of each frame section, so as to enhance the structural strengthand waterproof reliability of the frame section.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a foldabletonneau cover of a pick-up truck, which comprises:

a first frame section having a plurality of first frame members;

a second frame section having a plurality of second frame members,wherein the adjacent first and second frame members of the first andsecond frame sections have two opposite side surfaces;

at least one hidden-type hinge pivotally connected between the oppositeside surfaces of the adjacent first and second frame members; and

-   -   a waterproof flexible strip flexibly connected between the        adjacent frame members, disposed outside the hidden-type hinge,        and having at least two rigid edge rims continuously connected        to and extended along the entire length of the adjacent first        and second frame members, and a flexible sheet integrally and        flexibly connected between the at least two rigid edge rims.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least two rigid edgerims are made of a first plastic material, the flexible sheet is made ofa second plastic material, and the first plastic material has astiffness greater than that of the flexible sheet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the two opposite sidesurfaces of the adjacent first and second frame members have a firstC-shape insertion groove and a second C-shape insertion groove,respectively, and two of the rigid edge rims of the waterproof flexiblestrip are inserted into the first and second C-shape insertion grooves,respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least two rigid edgerims have a cross-sectional height greater than that of the flexiblesheet, so that a water collection recess is defined by the at least tworigid edge rims and the flexible sheet, wherein the water collectionrecess faces an outer side of a gap defined between the adjacent firstand second frame members in a horizontally extended status of theadjacent first and second frame members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an outer surface of thefirst frame member has at least one first C-shape insertion groove, anouter surface of the second frame member has at least one second C-shapeinsertion groove, and the at least two rigid edge rims of the waterproofflexible strip are inserted into the first and second C-shape insertiongrooves, respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of thefirst frame member has two of the first C-shape insertion grooves, theouter surface of the second frame member has two of the second C-shapeinsertion grooves, and four of the rigid edge rims of the waterproofflexible strip are inserted into the two first C-shape insertion groovesand the two second C-shape insertion grooves, respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first frame section hastwo rigid cover plates covering on the first frame members, and a foamcore filled in a space defined between the two rigid cover plates andthe first frame members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second frame section hastwo rigid cover plates covering on the second frame members, and a foamcore filled in a space defined between the two rigid cover plates andthe second frame members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and secondframe members is formed with an installation slot, a C-shaped insertiongroove and a linear installation groove, wherein the foam core is filledinto the C-shaped insertion groove, and an outer edge of one of therigid cover plates is inserted into the linear installation groove.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one hole is formedbetween the C-shaped insertion groove and the installation slot, and thefoam core is further filled into the installation slot through the hole.

Furthermore, the present invention provides another waterproof foldabletonneau cover for a pick-up truck, which comprises:

a first frame section having a plurality of first frame members;

a second frame section having a plurality of second frame members,wherein the adjacent first and second frame members of the first andsecond frame sections have two opposite side surfaces;

at least one hidden-type hinge pivotally connected between the adjacentfirst and second frame members; and

a waterproof flexible strip flexibly connected between the adjacentframe members, disposed outside the hidden-type hinge, and having atleast two rigid edge rims continuously connected to and extended alongthe entire length of the adjacent first and second frame members, and aflexible sheet integrally and flexibly connected between the at leasttwo rigid edge rims, wherein a water collection recess is defined by theat least two rigid edge rims and the flexible sheet.

Moreover, the present invention provides a waterproof flexible strip fora foldable tonneau cover for a pick-up truck, the foldable tonneau coverincluding a first frame section having a plurality of first framemembers, a second frame section having a plurality of second framemembers, and at least one hidden-type hinge pivotally connected betweentwo opposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and second framemembers, the waterproof flexible strip flexibly connected between theadjacent frame members, disposed outside the hidden-type hinge, andcomprising:

at least two rigid edge rims continuously connected to and extendedalong the entire length of the adjacent first and second frame members;and

a flexible sheet integrally and flexibly connected between the at leasttwo rigid edge rims;

wherein the at least two rigid edge rims have a cross-sectional heightgreater than that of the flexible sheet, so that a water collectionrecess is defined by the at least two rigid edge rims and the flexiblesheet, and wherein the water collection recess faces an outer side of agap defined between the adjacent first and second frame members in ahorizontally extended status of the adjacent first and second framemembers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional foldable tonneau coversystem of a pick-up truck;

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the traditional foldable tonneaucover system of FIG. 1 in a horizontally extended status;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the traditional foldable tonneaucover system of FIG. 1 in a folded status;

FIG. 4 is a partially top view of a foldable tonneau cover of a pick-uptruck according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a frame sectionhaving two rigid cover plates and a foam core according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partially bottom view of the foldable tonneau coveraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the hidden-type hinge accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention in a partially foldedstatus;

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged and partially cross-sectional view of thehidden-type hinge according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention in a completely folded status, similar to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded top view of the hidden-type hinge, a waterproofflexible strip and two adjacent frame members according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is an assembled cross-sectional view of installing thewaterproof flexible strip onto the two adjacent frame members accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention in the horizontallyextended status;

FIG. 9B is an assembled cross-sectional view of installing thewaterproof flexible strip onto the two adjacent frame members accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention in the completelyfolded status;

FIG. 10A is an assembled cross-sectional view of installing a waterproofflexible strip onto two adjacent frame members according to a secondembodiment of the present invention in a horizontally extended status;

FIG. 10B is an assembled cross-sectional view of installing thewaterproof flexible strip onto the two adjacent frame members accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention in a completely foldedstatus;

FIG. 11A is a schematic side view of the foldable tonneau coveraccording to the first or second embodiment of the present invention ina folded status; and

FIG. 11B is another schematic side view of the foldable tonneau coveraccording to the first or second embodiment of the present invention ina folded status.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, directionalterms described by the present invention, such as upper, lower, front,back, left, right, inner, outer, side, longitudinal/vertical,transverse/horizontal, and etc., are only directions by referring to theaccompanying drawings, and thus the used directional terms are used todescribe and understand the present invention, but the present inventionis not limited thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, partially top and bottom views of afoldable tonneau cover of a pick-up truck according to a firstembodiment of the present invention are illustrated. As shown, thefoldable tonneau cover designated by numeral 30 is applied to a pick-uptruck (as shown in FIG. 1) and comprises at least two frame sections31,32, at least one hidden-type hinge 33 and at least one waterproofflexible strip 34, all of which will be described in more detailedhereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 4A, the number of the frame sections 31,32 canbe two, three, four or more. In the embodiment, the foldable tonneaucover 30 is provided with a first frame section 31 and a second framesection 32, but not limited to include additional frame section or not.The first frame section 31 has a plurality of first frame members 311,two rigid cover plates 312 and a foam core 313. The number of the firstframe members 311 can be four, and can be made of metal (such asaluminum, iron, stainless steel, copper or alloy thereof) or engineeringplastic. Each set of the first frame members 311 can be used toconstruct a rectangular frame and define a rectangular space within therectangular frame. The rigid cover plates 312 are made of rigidmaterial, such as engineering plastic (such as polyamide 6 (PA6),polyamide 66 (PA66), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS) copolymer, polycarbonate (PC) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),without limitation) or metal (such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel,copper or alloy thereof). Two of the rigid cover plates 312 can besuitably covered and fixed on a top side and a bottom side of the firstframe members 311, and the size of the rigid cover plates 312 isslightly greater than that of the rectangular space defined by the firstframe members 311.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 4A, a cross-section of each of the firstframe members 311 at the outer edge of the first frame section 31 isformed with an installation slot 311 a, a C-shaped insertion groove 311b and a linear installation groove 311 c, wherein the installation slot311 a is used to be installed with two corner members 314 (as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5); the C-shaped insertion groove 311 b is formed at aninternal side of the installation slot 311 a, wherein the foam core 313(such as urethane foam material) is filled into the C-shaped insertiongroove 311 b and the rectangular space defined between the first framemembers 311 and the two rigid cover plates 312; the linear installationgroove 311 c is formed at a top side (and/or a bottom side) of theinstallation slot 311 a, wherein an outer edge of one of the rigid coverplates 312 is inserted into the linear installation groove 311 c; andthe first frame members 311 can be further formed with at least one hole311 d formed between the C-shaped insertion groove 311 b and theinstallation slot 311 a, and the foam core 313 is thus further filledinto the installation slot 311 a through the hole 311 d.

Therefore, when water enters the installation slot 311 a from the gapbetween the first frame members 311 and the corner members 314, there isno space in the installation slot 311 a to receive water, so that thewater leakage and the noise caused by water in the installation slot 311a can be minimized and avoided. In addition, the foam core 313 isfurther filled into the C-shaped insertion groove 311 b, so that areliable connection strength can be provided between the first framemembers 311 and the foam core 313 in the rectangular space defined bythe first frame members 311 and the two rigid cover plates 312.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 4A and 5, similarly, the second frame section 32also has a plurality of second frame members 321, two rigid cover plates322 and a foam core 323, all of which have structures and functionssubstantially the same as the corresponding first frame members 311, therigid cover plates 312 and the foam core 313, as described above, sothat the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a partially enlarged view of the hidden-typehinge 33 in a partially folded status and a partially enlarged andpartially cross-sectional view of the hidden-type hinge 33 in acompletely folded status are illustrated.

According to the foldable tonneau cover 30 of the present invention, oneof the frame sections (e.g. the first frame section 31) can be pivotallyconnected to another adjacent frame section (e.g. the second framesection 32) through one, two or more of the hidden-type hinge 33, sothat all of the two adjacent frame sections 31,32 can be pivotallyrotated to an extended position or a storage position. When the twoadjacent frame sections 31,32 are in the extended position, the framesections 31,32 are horizontally extended on two side walls and atailgate of a cargo box (as shown in FIG. 1), so as to cover an innerspace of the cargo box. When the frame sections 31,32 are in the storageposition, the frame sections 31,32 are folded and stacked on a front endof the two side walls, so as to expose the inner space of the cargo box.

In the embodiment, the adjacent first and second frame members 311,321of the adjacent first and second frame sections 31,32 have structuresdifferent from that of the first and second frame members 311,321 at theouter edge of the first and second frame sections 31,32, wherein twoopposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and second frame members311,321 of the adjacent first and second frame sections 31,32 arecorrespondingly formed with a first/second embedded hole 310,320 and afirst/second C-shape insertion groove 311 e,321 e, respectively, whereinthe hidden-type hinge 33 is substantially received in the first andsecond embedded holes 310,320 when the first and second frame sections31,32 are horizontally extended relative to each other; and thehidden-type hinge 33 is partially exposed out of the first and secondembedded holes when the first and second frame sections 31,32 arerotated or folded relative to each other.

For more details, referring now to FIG. 8, each of the hidden-type hinge33 comprises: a first embedded body 331, a second embedded body 332, atleast one first sliding member 333, at least one second sliding member334, a central axis 335, a first pivotal shaft 336, a second pivotalshaft 337, a first sliding shaft 338 and a second sliding shaft 339, allof which are made of metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum, iron,copper or alloy thereof, without limitation.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, in the embodiment, the first embeddedbody 331 is substantially entirely (or mostly) embedded in the firstembedded hole 310 of the first frame member 311; the second embeddedbody 332 is substantially entirely (or mostly) embedded in the secondembedded hole 320 of the second frame member 321; the first slidingmember 333 is pivotally connected to the first embedded body 331 by thefirst pivotal shaft 336 and slidably connected to the second embeddedbody 332 by the second sliding shaft 339; the second sliding member 334is pivotally connected to the second embedded body 332 by the secondpivotal shaft 337 and slidably connected to the first embedded body 331by the first sliding shaft 338; and a central portion of the first andsecond sliding members 333,334 are commonly pivotally connected to thecentral axis 335. The hidden-type hinge 33 preferably has two of thefirst sliding members 333 and two of the second sliding members 334,both of which are alternately arranged with each other and rotatablyconnected with each other by the central axis 335.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and second embedded bodies 331, 332have a first receiving space 331 a and a second receiving space 332 a,respectively, to commonly receive the first and second sliding members333,334. The first receiving space 331 a of the first embedded body 331has a pair of first pivotal holes (unlabeled) and the first pivotalshaft 336, the first pivotal shaft 336 has two ends fixed on the twofirst pivotal holes, and one end of the first sliding member 333 ispivotally connected to the first pivotal shaft 336. Similarly, thesecond receiving space 332 a of the second embedded body 332 has a pairof second pivotal holes (unlabeled) and the second pivotal shaft 337,the second pivotal shaft 337 has two ends fixed on the two secondpivotal holes, and one end of the second sliding member 334 is pivotallyconnected to the second pivotal shaft 337.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first receiving space 331 aof the first embedded body 331 has a pair of first sliding grooves 331 band the first sliding shaft 338, the first sliding shaft 338 has twoends slidably disposed in the two first sliding grooves 331 b, and theother end of the second sliding member 334 is pivotally connected to thefirst sliding shaft 338. Similarly, the second receiving space 332 a ofthe second embedded body 332 has a pair of second sliding grooves 332 band the second sliding shaft 339, the second sliding shaft 339 has twoends slidably disposed in the two second sliding grooves 332 b, and theother end of the first sliding member 333 is pivotally connected to thesecond sliding shaft 339.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the first and second framesections 31,32 are horizontally extended relative to each other (i.e. inan extended status), the first and second sliding members 333,334 aresubstantially entirely received in the first and second embedded bodies331,332, wherein the first and second sliding members 333,334 are usedto interconnect the first and second frame sections 31,32 with eachother; and referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the first and second framesections 31,32 are rotated or folded relative to each other (i.e. in apartially or completely folded status), the first and second slidingmembers 333,334 can partially slide out of the first and second embeddedbodies 331,332, wherein the first and second sliding members 333,334also can be used to interconnect the first and second frame sections31,32 with each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B, the foldable tonneau cover 30further comprises a waterproof flexible strip 34 flexibly connectedbetween the adjacent frame members 311,321 and disposed outside/abovethe hidden-type hinge 33 (i.e. relatively close to the outer surface ofthe first and second frame members 311,321; or close to the ambientenvironment outside the first and second frame members 311,321), whereinthe waterproof flexible strip 34 has two rigid edge rims 341 and aflexible sheet 342, the two rigid edge rims 341 are used to becontinuously connected to and extended along the entire length of theadjacent first and second frame members 311,321; and the flexible sheet342 is integrally and flexibly connected between the two rigid edge rims341. In the embodiment, the two rigid edge rims 341 are made of a firstplastic material, the flexible sheet 342 is made of a second plasticmaterial, and the first plastic material preferably has a stiffness(rigidity) greater than that of the second plastic material.

Furthermore, in the horizontally extended status, the first C-shapeinsertion groove 311 e and the second C-shape insertion groove 321 e areformed at two opposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and secondframe members 311,321, respectively, and the first C-shape insertiongroove 311 e is corresponding to second C-shape insertion groove 321 e,wherein the two rigid edge rims 341 of the waterproof flexible strip 34are inserted into the first and second C-shape insertion grooves 311e,321 e, respectively, and the flexible sheet 342 is continuouslyconnected to and extended along the entire length of a gap definedbetween the adjacent first and second frame members 311,321. Meanwhile,the two rigid edge rims 341 have a cross-sectional height greater thanthat of the flexible sheet 342, so that a water collection recess 340 isdefined by the two rigid edge rims 341 and the flexible sheet 342 (asshown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A), wherein the watercollection recess 340 faces an outer side of the gap between theadjacent first and second frame members 311,321 in the horizontallyextended status. Water collected by the water collection recess 340 orthe first and second C-shape insertion grooves 311 e,321 e can befurther drained outward from draining holes (not-shown) formed two endsof the adjacent first and second frame members 311,321.

In the folded status, the first frame member 311 is rotated about 180degree relative to the second frame member 321, so that the two oppositeside surfaces of the adjacent first and second frame members 311,321formed with the first and second C-shape insertion grooves 311 e,321 eare not aligned with each other again, while the flexible sheet 342 isbent to be a curved shape and still provides a waterproof effect for theadjacent first and second frame members 311,321.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, the first embedded body 331 issubstantially mostly embedded in the first embedded hole 310 of thefirst frame member 311, wherein a small portion of the first embeddedbody 331 is protruded from the side surface of the first frame member311; Similarly, the second embedded body 332 is substantially mostlyembedded in the second embedded hole 320 of the second frame member 321,wherein a small portion of the second embedded body 332 is protrudedfrom the side surface of the second frame member 321.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, assembled cross-sectional views ofinstalling a waterproof flexible strip onto two adjacent frame membersaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention in ahorizontally extended status and in a completely folded status areillustrated and similar to FIGS. 9A and 9B of the first embodiment, sothat the second embodiment uses similar terms or numerals of the firstembodiment. As shown, the difference of the second embodiment is that:the two opposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and second framemembers 311,321, the structure of the waterproof flexible strip 34 andthe position of the first and second C-shape insertion groove 311 e,321e are further modified.

For more details, the two opposite side surfaces of the adjacent firstand second frame members 311,321 of the first and second frame sections31,32 are correspondingly formed with a first recessed groove 311 f anda second recessed groove 321 f, respectively, and the first and secondembedded holes 310,320 are formed within the first and second recessedgrooves 311 f,321 f, respectively, so that a larger front panel portionof the first and second embedded body 331,332 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and8) can be received in the first and second recessed grooves 311 f,321 f,respectively, and the first and second embedded holes 310,320 can be asmaller hole for only receiving a smaller rear insertion portion of thefirst and second embedded body 331,332. Thus, the hole machining of thefirst and second embedded body 331,332 can be simplified.

Furthermore, an outer surface of the first frame member 311 has at leastone first C-shape insertion groove 311 e, an outer surface of the secondframe member 321 has at least one second C-shape insertion groove 321 e,and the at least two rigid edge rims 341 of the waterproof flexiblestrip 34 are inserted into the first and second C-shape insertiongrooves 311 e,321 e, respectively. Preferably, the outer surface of thefirst frame member 311 has two of the first C-shape insertion grooves311 e, the outer surface of the second frame member 321 has two of thesecond C-shape insertion grooves 321 e, and four of the rigid edge rims341 of the waterproof flexible strip 34 are inserted into the two firstC-shape insertion grooves 311 e and the two second C-shape insertiongrooves 321 e, respectively. The flexible sheet 342 is furtherhorizontally extended leftward and rightward from the leftmost andrightmost rigid edge rims 341, so as to form an extended portion 343 tocover the first and second C-shape insertion grooves 311 e,321 e on theouter surface of the first and second frame member 311,321. The twofirst C-shape insertion grooves 311 e and the two second C-shapeinsertion grooves 321 e can be used as a dual water collection recessstructure, respectively. Therefore, water collected by two of the dualwater collection recess structure (i.e. the first and second C-shapeinsertion grooves 311 e,321 e) can be further drained outward fromdraining holes (not-shown) formed two ends of the adjacent first andsecond frame members 311,321.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, schematic side views of two types ofthe foldable tonneau cover according to the first or second embodimentof the present invention in a folded status are illustrated. As shown inFIG. 11A, the foldable tonneau cover 30 comprises a first frame section31, a second frame section 32, a spacer frame section 35 and a thirdframe section 36 in turn, wherein the three frame sections 31,32,36 havesubstantially identical or similar size; the spacer frame section 35 hasa smaller size than the size of each of the frame sections 31,32,36; atleast one hidden-type hinge 33 (the number may be one, two or three) andone waterproof flexible strip 34 of the first or second embodiment areinstalled between any two adjacent frame sections 31,32,35,36. Becausethe foldable tonneau cover has the spacer frame section 35, the threeframe sections 31,32,36 can be completely folded for storage.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11B, the foldable tonneau cover 30 comprisesa first frame section 31, a second frame section 32, a spacer framesection 35, a third frame section 36 and a fourth frame section 37 inturn, wherein the four frame sections 31,32,36,37 have substantiallyidentical or similar size; the spacer frame section 35 has a smallersize than the size of each of the frame sections 31,32,36,37; at leastone hidden-type hinge 33 and one waterproof flexible strip 34 of thefirst or second embodiment are installed between any two adjacent framesections 31,32,35,36,37. Because the foldable tonneau cover has thespacer frame section 35, the four frame sections 31,32,36,37 can becompletely folded for storage.

As described above, in comparison with the traditional waterprooffoldable tonneau cover, the foldable tonneau cover 30 of the presentinvention as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9B is provided with at least onehidden-type hinge 33 substantially entirely (or mostly) hidden withinframe members 311,321 of two adjacent frame sections 31,32 in anhorizontally extended status, so as to minimize the occupied space ofthe hidden-type hinge 33 and the gap between the adjacent frame sections31,32. Furthermore, a waterproof flexible strip 34 is provided to becontinuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent framemembers 31,32 without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge 34substantially entirely (or mostly) hidden within frame members 311,321,so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof. The hidden-typehinge 34 and the waterproof flexible strip 34 between any two adjacentframe sections 31,32 is also advantageous to simplify the waterproofinterconnection structure between the adjacent frame sections. Moreover,a foam core 313,323 is provided between two rigid cover plates 312,322of each frame section 31,32, so as to enhance the structural strengthand waterproof reliability of the frame section 31,32.

The present invention has been described with a preferred embodimentthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications to thedescribed embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scopeand the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable tonneau cover for a pick-up truck,comprising: a first frame section having a plurality of first framemembers; a second frame section having a plurality of second framemembers, wherein the adjacent first and second frame members of thefirst and second frame sections have two opposite side surfaces; atleast one hidden-type hinge pivotally connected between the oppositeside surfaces of the adjacent first and second frame members; and awaterproof flexible strip flexibly connected between the adjacent framemembers, disposed outside the hidden-type hinge, and having at least tworigid edge rims continuously connected to and extended along the entirelength of the adjacent first and second frame members, and a flexiblesheet integrally and flexibly connected between the at least two rigidedge rims.
 2. The foldable tonneau cover according to claim 1, whereinthe at least two rigid edge rims are made of a first plastic material,the flexible sheet is made of a second plastic material, and the firstplastic material has a stiffness greater than that of the second plasticmaterial.
 3. The foldable tonneau cover according to claim 1, whereinthe opposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and second framemembers have a first C-shape insertion groove and a second C-shapeinsertion groove, respectively, and two of the rigid edge rims of thewaterproof flexible strip are inserted into the first and second C-shapeinsertion grooves, respectively.
 4. The foldable tonneau cover accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least two rigid edge rims have across-sectional height greater than that of the flexible sheet, so thata water collection recess is defined by the at least two rigid edge rimsand the flexible sheet, wherein the water collection recess faces anouter side of a gap defined between the adjacent first and second framemembers in a horizontally extended status of the adjacent first andsecond frame members.
 5. The foldable tonneau cover according to claim1, wherein an outer surface of the first frame member has at least onefirst C-shape insertion groove, an outer surface of the second framemember has at least one second C-shape insertion groove, and the atleast two rigid edge rims of the waterproof flexible strip are insertedinto the first and second C-shape insertion grooves, respectively. 6.The foldable tonneau cover according to claim 5, wherein the outersurface of the first frame member has two of the first C-shape insertiongrooves, the outer surface of the second frame member has two of thesecond C-shape insertion grooves, and four of the rigid edge rims of thewaterproof flexible strip are inserted into the two first C-shapeinsertion grooves and the two second C-shape insertion grooves,respectively.
 7. The foldable tonneau cover according to claim 1,wherein the first frame section has two rigid cover plates covering onthe first frame members, and a foam core filled in a space definedbetween the two rigid cover plates and the first frame members.
 8. Thefoldable tonneau cover according to claim 7, wherein the second framesection has two rigid cover plates covering on the second frame members,and a foam core filled in a space defined between the two rigid coverplates and the second frame members.
 9. The foldable tonneau coveraccording to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second frame membersis formed with an installation slot, a C-shaped insertion groove and alinear installation groove, wherein the foam core is filled into theC-shaped insertion groove, and an outer edge of one of the rigid coverplates is inserted into the linear installation groove.
 10. The foldabletonneau cover according to claim 9, wherein at least one hole is formedbetween the C-shaped insertion groove and the installation slot, and thefoam core is further filled into the installation slot through the hole.11. A waterproof flexible strip for a foldable tonneau cover for apick-up truck, the foldable tonneau cover including a first framesection having a plurality of first frame members, a second framesection having a plurality of second frame members, and at least onehidden-type hinge pivotally connected between two opposite side surfacesof the adjacent first and second frame members, the waterproof flexiblestrip flexibly connected between the adjacent frame members, disposedoutside the hidden-type hinge, and comprising: at least two rigid edgerims continuously connected to and extended along the entire length ofthe adjacent first and second frame members; and a flexible sheetintegrally and flexibly connected between the at least two rigid edgerims.
 12. The waterproof flexible strip according to claim 11, whereinthe at least two rigid edge rims are made of a first plastic material,the flexible sheet is made of a second plastic material, and the firstplastic material has a stiffness greater than that of the second plasticmaterial.
 13. The waterproof flexible strip according to claim 11,wherein the opposite side surfaces of the adjacent first and secondframe members have a first C-shape insertion groove and a second C-shapeinsertion groove, respectively, and two of the rigid edge rims of thewaterproof flexible strip are inserted into the first and second C-shapeinsertion grooves, respectively.
 14. The waterproof flexible stripaccording to claim 11, wherein the at least two rigid edge rims have across-sectional height greater than that of the flexible sheet, so thata water collection recess is defined by the at least two rigid edge rimsand the flexible sheet, wherein the water collection recess faces anouter side of a gap defined between the adjacent first and second framemembers in a horizontally extended status of the adjacent first andsecond frame members.
 15. The waterproof flexible strip according toclaim 11, wherein an outer surface of the first frame member has atleast one first C-shape insertion groove, an outer surface of the secondframe member has at least one second C-shape insertion groove, and theat least two rigid edge rims of the waterproof flexible strip areinserted into the first and second C-shape insertion grooves,respectively.
 16. The waterproof flexible strip according to claim 15,wherein the outer surface of the first frame member has two of the firstC-shape insertion grooves, the outer surface of the second frame memberhas two of the second C-shape insertion grooves, and four of the rigidedge rims of the waterproof flexible strip are inserted into the twofirst C-shape insertion grooves and the two second C-shape insertiongrooves, respectively.